Dear Supporters,

I’m reaching out to you today to fundraise for Afghanaid, an organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities in Afghanistan, particularly women and girls who are bearing the brunt of the country's humanitarian and climate crises. Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Afghan women and girls have faced increasingly severe restrictions on their ability to participate in public life including their ability to pursue an education. In 2024, Afghanistan was named the worst place to be a woman with the statistics below reflecting only a part of the dire situation:

- One-third of girls in Afghanistan are married by the age of 18, and nearly 9% by the age of 15. This means Afghanistan has around 1,278,000 child brides in forced marriages.
- Over 1 million girls are currently banned from attending secondary school.
- 60% of the 3.7 million Afghan children taken out of school before the Taliban took over were girls.
- Only 37% of teenage girls aged 13-18 can read and write, compared to 66% of teenage boys.

As you can see, many young girls are being deprived of the opportunity to learn, grow, and shape their futures. New  policies have led to a surge in child, early, and forced marriages. This issue extends beyond Afghanistan and concerns everyone who values an inclusive, just, and peaceful society. We must do all that we can to support the women and girls of Afghanistan who have little to no other options for assistance.

As a young woman born in Karachi, Pakistan, I feel a deep personal connection to this cause, especially given the proximity of Afghanistan as my neighbouring country, making it hit even closer to home.

By donating to Afghanaid, you will be helping to provide these young girls with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to build better lives for themselves. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a huge difference in a young girl’s life. Please join me in supporting this cause and standing up for the rights of young Afghan girls. Together, we can help create a brighter future for them.

I appreciate your support. Sharing this on social media or with friends and family to gather support and donations will be greatly appreciated.

Maria Nabeel

Maria Nabeel